Spacing device.



F. C. STIENING.

SPACING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. 1915. 1,185,018. Patented May 30, 1916.

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F. C. STIENING.

SPACING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6.1915.

1 1 85,0 1 8. Patent-ed May 30, 1916.

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F. C. STIENING.

SPACING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6. m5.

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SPACING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6.1915.

Patented May 30, 1916.

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SPACING DEVICE.

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SPACING DEVICE.

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SPACING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 30, 1916.

Application filed May 8, 1915. Serial No. 26,352.

To all whom it ma 3 concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK C. STIEN- me. a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Hamilton, in the county of Butler and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spacing Devices, of which the following 1s a specification.

7 My invention relates to automatic spacing or feeding devices, and more particularly to such devices used in connection with cutting or punching metal sheets and bars.

The object of my invention is to eliminate manual adjustment of cutting and punching machines or similar machines, where variated feeding is required, thereby permitting the machine work to be done by less skilled workmen and insuring greater accuracy and uniformity where a number of pieces are to be cut or punched all of the same design or spacing.

A further object of my invention is to permit such adjustments to be made manually where automatic adjustment is not desired, and to make this manual adjustment without stopping the machine.

My invention consists in the combination of parts and in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as are herein described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a punching machine with my invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same; Fig. 3 is a partial "ertical cross section on a line corresponding to the line .r-m of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a similar section on a line corresponding to the line 7 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a partial sectional side elevation on the line z-z of Fig. 3 enlarged, and Fig. 6 is a partial side elevation enlarged, showing the device for manually changing the spacing; and Fig. 7 is a partial front elevation of the same.

The plate 1 to be punched is carried under the punches 2 by grippers on a carriage 3. This carriage is driven forward on a long narrow bed 3 by pinions 4 meshing with racks 5 at the sides of the carriage, which pinions are mounted on a transverse shaft 6 that extends out to the side of the machine frame 2' and has, fixed on it, a ratchet wheel 7. A pawl 8 engages with the ratchet teeth and is mounted near the free end of an arm 9 fixed to which are a larger pinion 10 and a smaller pinion 11, this arm 9 and the two pinions 10 and 11 all rotating together loosely on the shaft 6 between the ratchet wheel 7 and the frame. The purpose of the smaller pinion will be described later.

The larger pinion 10 meshes upwardly with a short rack 12 sliding horizontally in a guideway on the side of the frame from the middle of the frame out to the end where the above described parts are mounted. A similar rack 13 slides in another guideway in horizontal alinement with the rack 12 out toward the other end of the frame. Between the guideways of these racks 12 and 13 is an abutment 14 fixed to the side of the frame.

The main power shaft 15 of the punching machine is journaled in the frame 2' and has a gear 16 fixed on it; and on a stud 17 in the side of the frame is a gear 18 meshing with the gear 16, fixed to which gear 18, concentric with it, is a crank disk 19. Vertically below the stud 17 a crosshead 20 is guided up and down in guides 21 on the side of the frame, and a pitman 22 connects to a wrist pin 23 on the crank disk 19 and to a pin 24 on the cross-head 20. The gears 16 and 18 are of equal diameter, so that the crank disk 19 is rotated once at each revolution of the main shaft 15 and will thus move the cross-head 20 down and up during such revolution. The two racks 12 and 13 areconnected through connecting links 25 to the cross-head 20 by a Peaucelliers parallel movement made up of the link-quadrangle 26 connected to the cross-head 20 by a link 27 at the middle and converging links 28, these being pivoted to the cross-head below and above, respectively, in vertical alinement. Thus connected, the driving force of the main shaft 15 is transmitted tothe ratchet arm 9 with the rack 13 abutting a ainst the abutment 14 as a fulcrum; and i against the abutment 14 during the downward stroke of the cross-head 20, all of this downward motion will be imparted to the ratchet arm 9, swinging the pawl 8 the maximum distance down around the ratchet wheel 7, so that upon the upward movement this rack 13 is held up plate 1 thereon, the maximum distance or the greatest length of feed required of the device. However, if this rack 13 is allowed to have some movement away from the abutment 14 during the downward stroke, and the ratchet arm 9 and rack 12 are impeded, part of the downward motion will be transmitted to the rack 13 and subtracted from that of the ratchet arm 9, depending upon how far this rack 13 on the one hand, and the rack 12 and connected operative elements on the other hand, are allowed to move. For instance, if no limit is put to the movement of the rack 13 and no movement of the rack 12 and connected parts is allowed during the downward stroke on the cross-head 20, all of the motion will be imparted to this rack 13, and on the upward stroke of the cross-head 20 the rack 13 will merely come back to its abutment 14, and there willbe no feeding motion imparted to the ratchet wheel 7, and, consequently, no feeding of the carriage 3 and late 1 thereon. It will now be seen that y regulating the proportion of movements of the rack 13 on the one hand and of the rack 12 and connected parts on the other hand, any desired degree of rotation of the ratchet wheel 7, and, consequently, any desired length of feed of the carriage 3 and late 1 thereon, may be caused at any revoution of the main shaft 15.

To provide for the above, the rack 13 meshes downwardly with an idler pinion 29, which has, rotating with it, an idler pinion 30 meshing downwardly with an idler rack 31; and the pinion 11, hereinbefore referred to as fixed to the pinion 10 of the ratchet wheel 7, meshes downwardly with a rack 32, these racks 31 and 32 sliding in a horizontal guideway with a stop mem er 33 sliding in the guideway between them. By moving this stop member 33 over toward one or the other end of the frame, and, consequently, over toward one or the other of the racks 31 and 32, and holding it fixed in the position it is moved to, it willimpede the one rack and allow free movement of the other rack in different proportions, depending upon where it is positioned between them. For instance, if is be placed in the middle, each rack 31 and 32 will be stopped at the middle of its inward stroke, stopping the rack 13 at the middle of its outward stroke; and allowing the ratchet arm 9, as swung around by the rack 12, to swing through only onehalf of its maximum dlstance of swinging. Then, during the upward stroke, the rack 13 will first move in through the half-stroke allowed to it and engage with the abutment 14, thus forming a fulcrum, which will cause the connecting elements to pull the ratchet arm 9 upward and turn the ratchet wheel 7 through the half of its maximum motion as allowed to it by this adjustment, whereupon the carriage 3 and plate 1 will be moved through one-half of the maximum feed provided for. Likewise, if the stop member 33 be adjusted only one-third as far from the rack 31 as it is from the rack 32, the rack 31 will be stopped at one-fourth of its maximum stroke, and the other threefourths of the motion will be imparted to the carriage 3 and the plate 1, giving a feed of three-fourths of the maximum feed pro vided for in the device. It is evident that any other length of feed may be caused by corresponding adjustments of the stop member 33.

For adjusting the feed by hand, a lever 34 with a detent 35 engagin in notches of a segment 36, with a link 3 connecting it to the stop member 33, may hold this stop member at any adjustment permitted by the notches in the segment 36, and it will be seen that the adjustment may be changed at any time by moving this lever 34 to a different notch. Since this stop 33 is entirely free of the ower driven parts during the period of the upward stroke and feeding, this change in adjustment may be made during this period, without stopping the punching machine or disconnecting the feeding device, which in itself is a considerable advantage as compared with devices which require stopping of the machine after each punching, where the spacing between the punchings is to be changed. However, as previously stated, the principal object of the invention is to automatically variably space the punchings in accordance with the requirements of any particular job. To accomplish this, I provide for automatically moving the stop member 33 away from the rack 31, and automatically cause it to return toward this rack 31, during each upward stroke and feeding, and limit the return so that, at the next downward stroke, it will regulate the relative movements of the parts as before described, thus determining the length of the next feed. Thus, the stop member 33 is in the form of a rack which meshes downwardly with an outside pinion 38, which in turn has, meshing upwardly with it, an outside double rack 39 in a lower horizontal guideway, and which rack 39 also has teeth on its lower side meshing with a pinion 40 fixed to an arm 41 and concentric therewith loosely on a shaft 42 running horizontally inwardly of the machine toward the bed 3 parallel with the shaft 6. The gear 18 before described as meshing with the gear 16 on the power shaft 15 of the machine, and

which has the crank disk 19 turning with it as before described, also has a cam 43 turning with it. The periphery of this cam is of uniform radius for about one-half of its circumference, and then forms a gradual outward incline for the other half circumference, terminated by an abrupt drop back to its uniform radius. A lever 44 has a roller 44 engaging with the periphery of the cam, and has a fulcrum on the side of the frame 2 past which it extends a considerable distance and has a connecting rod 45 pivoted to it, which rod extends down through an eye 46 on the arm 41, and has a collar 47 below the eye, so that this rod 45, as pulled up by the inclined part of the cam 43, will always lift the arm 41 to a certain height, but may allow the arm 41 to stop at any point when traveling downwardly. The parts are so related to the punches 2 that the rod 45 will be Pulled upward during the half revolution of the shaft 15, in which the punches 2 are moving upward, allowing feeding of the plate beneath them, and of course during the feed by the ratchet wheel 7 as hereinbefore described.

' The above described cam and ratchet mechanism will move the stop member 33 away from the rack 31 until the engaging part of the lever 44 reaches the abrupt drop in the cam 43, whereupon the stop member 33 is free to return toward the idler rack 31. To effect this return, a counterweight 48 is hung inside the frame 2' on an arm 49 fixed on a shaft 50, which is fixed in the outside pinion 38 before alluded to. This arm 49 and Weight 48 are so disposed that the weight 48 will be lifted during the upstroke of the rod 45 and movement of the stop member 33 away from the idler rack 31, so that as soon as the abrupt drop in the cam is reached the weight 48 will fall and bring the stop member 33 back toward the idler rack 31 very quickly.

The shaft 50, which is fixed in the outside pinion 38 and has the arm 49 and weight 48, has fixed on it inwardly of the machine next to the support for the carriage 3, an

inner pinion 51 which is a duplicate of the outside pinion 38, and it meshes downwardly with an inner rack 52 which is a duplicate of the outer rack 39, so far as its upwardly presented teeth are concerned. This rack 52 carries a dog 53 held down by a spring 54. The lower end of this dog is beveled in the direction that it moves when the stop member 33 moves away from the idler rack 31, but has a straight side in the other direction.

The shaft 42 above mentioned as having the gear 40 and arm 41 loosely mounted on it, and, extending inwardly of the machine, has fixed on it, near the support of the carriage 3, a pinion 55. Outside the gear 40 a ratchet wheel 56 is fixed on this shaft 42 and the arm 41 has a pawl 57 near its outer end engaging with the teeth of this ratchet wheel 56. By this means the pinion 55 is turned a partial revolution at each turn of the main shaft 15 of the machine.

Meshing with the pinion 55 is a rack 58 running in horizontal guideways, and on the top of this rack is a templet 59 in the form of a strip, which may be of wood, and having fixed therein metal pins or detents 60 at such intervals as it is desired that the punchings shall be in the plate 1. Mounted on the side of the machine, and extending over the top of the templet 59 alongside the row of detents 60, is a finger 61, presenting its end toward the dog 53, and so located along the path of travel of the rack 52 that the dog 53 will ride up on this finger; and at the instant when the abrupt drop in the cam 43 reaches the end of the lever 44, the dog 53 will be disengaged from the one of the detents 60 with which it was engaged. This instant also marks the termination of the feed which the stoppage of the stop member 33 determined the length of when the dog 53 engaged with this particular detent 60; the rack 58 and templet 59 having been fed the same distance that the plate 1 was fed. The plate 1 was fed through the medium of the ratchet Wheel 7, but the templet 59 was fed through the medium of the ratchet wheel 56, acted upon, through the lever 44, rod 45, arm 41 and pawl 57, by the rise in the periphery of the cam 43. As soon as this simultaneous disengagement of the dog 53 from the detent 60 and abrupt drop of the lever 44 and rod 45 occur, the weight 48 will act through the shaft 50 and pinion 38 to return the stop member 33 toward the rack 31 again; but the pinion 51 on this shaft 50, meshing with the rack 52, will limit this movement. of the stop member 33 toward the rack 31 by the engagement of the straight side of the dog .53, on said rack 52, with the detent 60, this dog descending again very quickly as it comes down off of the finger 61. The distance of this next detent 60 from the detent from which the dog was just disengaged will determine the distance of the next punching from the punching that is being made during this period of disengagement and readjustment of the stop member 33: since the position of the stop member 33 relative to the two racks 31 and 32 determines the spacing, as hereinbefore described.

On account of the connection of the rod 45 to the arm 41 so that the rod 45 may move down without moving the arm 41 down, but will always move the arm 41 to the maximum height, it will be seen that it is possible to set the pawl 57 any required distance around the ratchet wheel 56 preparatory to each feed of the templet; said arm 41 with its pawl 57 being stopped at the proper point, because the pinion 4O fixed to the arm 41 is in mesh with the rack 39 which is also in mesh with the pinion 38 and is therefore controlled the same as are the rack 51 and stop member 33. Thus the feeding of the plate 1 and of the templet 59 are uniform in each instance, although each is accomplished through the action of a distinct set of mechanism; the one through the combined action of the parallel movement from the crank disk 19, and determined by the stoppage of the stop member 33 by the detents (30; and the other through the action of the cam 43, and also determined by this same stoppage of the stop member 33. Thus the templet 59 controls the feeding of the plate 1 and controls the feeding of itself.

The above described combination of parts makes it possible to punch any number of plates or bars each having a series of punchings of different spacings, but all of the plates or bars being alike in this different arrangement of spacings, by making the templet 59 and placing it in position on the rack 58. The laying out of the work is done upon the templet, there being no necessity of any calculation or manual adiustment of the machine after this. This makes it possible to have the actual machine work done under the supervision of less skilled workmen, the making of the templet and proper setting of the pins or detents 60 therein being entrusted to more skilled workmen.

The minimum spacing or unit of adjustment will be determined by the pitch of the teeth in the ratchet wheel 7, and of course the teeth of the ratchet wheel 56 must correspond in pitch to those of the ratchet wheel 7 \Vhere, manual adjustment by means of the lever 34 is made, the unit of adjustment will be the pitch of the teeth in the segment 36. For practical purposes, these teeth are so pitched that variations of one-sixteenth of an inch in length may be made, and, as shown in the drawings, the machine is designed to afford a maximum spacing of eight inches. Spacing of less length than the diameter of the hole punched will be required at times in gang punching with some punches gagged. It is therefore necessary to place the detents 60 very close together; and it is found that the dog 53, when released by the finger 61, will engage with the next detent, even if this detent be as close as is required even with the closest possible spacings of the templet pins or detents. It will therefore be seen that automatic spacing of any desired variations bv one-sixteenth of an inch, from the shortest spacing required up to eight inches, may readily be provided with the machine constructed according to the example shown herein. Of course machines may be constructed with the ratchet teeth of different pitch, or other variations in the proportions of the parts may be made to meet the requirements of different kinds of work. Also, as shown in Fig. 3, the tem let 59 may have two series or rows of pins or detents 60, and the dog 53 may be mounted by means of a bolt 62 in a slot 63, to be adjusted transversely of the templet, so as to be controlled by the detents of one or of the other row. This will be convenient in such work as the punching of holes in the two legs of an angle bar, the spacing of the holes in each leg being different; since a single templet only need be provided for such angle bar, and only this single templet need be set, runningall of the angle bars through the machine and punching each leg of each bar, then setting the dog 53 over and running the angle bars through again and punching the other leg of each bar. Other convenient variations may be made according to the requirements in using the machine. The dog 53 may have suitable means to hold it up, permitting the templet to be run back for a new operation, such as the eccentric 64. shown in Fig. 3.

When the lever 34 is used, the cam 43 and the ratchet wheel 56 must be disconnected; which may be done by removing the pin that connects the rod 45 to the lever 44; and when the automatic adjustment is provided for and the cam 43 and ratchet wheel 56 are operatively connected, the link 37 of the lever 34 must be disconnected from the stop member 33. Also, when using the lever 34 to move the stop member 33, the weight 48 should be disconnected from the parts through which it acts upon the stop member 33, thus relieving the operator of the exertion of lifting this weight when setting the lever 34.

It will be understood that the templet 59 will be about as long as the plate 1 which is punched, and these plates or bars are sometimes as much as seventy-five feet long. It is for this reason that the templet and the means for cotiperating with the templet are located in next to the bed or support of the carriage; since this support is made as long as the longest piece to be operated upon, and this permits the templet to be carried along close to this supporting means and be supported and protected thereby.

While I have shown and specifically described a certain embodiment of my ,invention, I do not wish to be understood as being limited to this specific showing and description, but

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, intermittently and positively acting templet-controlled feeding mechanism for the object operated upon.

2. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, intermittently and positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a self-controlled templet, and means whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism.

3. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet, means whereby said operating means feeds said templet, and means Whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism.

4. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet with detents arranged thereon in distinct series, mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said detents, whereby said templet controls said feeding mechanism, and means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series.

5. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet, mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said templet, whereby said templet controls said feeding mechanism, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said templet.

6. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet with detents arranged thereon in distinct series, mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said detents, whereby said templet controls said feeding mechanism, means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

7. In a spaclng device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet with detents thereon, and positively acting mechanism comprising means engaging with said detents, whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism.

8. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet with detents arranged thereon in distinct series, positively acting mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said detents. whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism, and means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series.

9. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object. positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet, positively acting mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said templet, whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said templet.

10. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, a templet with detents arranged thereon in distinct series, positively acting mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said detents, whereby said templet positively controls said feeding mechanism, means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

11. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, a templet comprising an elongated strip with detents arranged longitudinally thereon, mechanism comprising engaging means engaging with said detents, whereby said templet controls said feeding mechanism, means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, and means acting during the operation of said operating means whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself.

12. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively actin feeding mechanism for the object operate upon to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism.

13. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively actin feeding mechanism for the object o erate upon repeatedly equally rapidly riven to operatively a"ct after each operation of said operating means, and means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism.

14. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and means com rising a templet and means for feeding sai templet, for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism.

15. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon to operatively act after each operation of said 0 erating means, means comprising a temp et and means for feeding said templet, for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism, and means whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself.

16. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feedlng mechanism for the object operated upon, repeatedly equally rapidly driven to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and means comprising a templet, and means for feeding said templet, for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism.

17. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, positively acting feeding mechanism for the object operated upon to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, positively actlng operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, a templet, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said templet for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism, and means for feeding said templet toward said engagin means during the operative action of sai feedin mechanism.

18. In a spacing. evice, in combination with operating means to operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents for determining, during each 0 eration of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism, and means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engagin means during the operative action of sai feedin mechanism.

19. n a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, a templet, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said templet for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next operative action of said feeding mechanism,

and means whereby said operating means feeds said templet toward said engaging n'ieans during the operative action of said feeding mechanism.

20. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising engaging means to engage with said detents for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, feeding means for said templet, operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding means where y said templet is fed longitudinally toward said engaging means during the feeding of said ob ect, and an operative connection from said eng 'ng means to said templet-feeding meansj f r varying the extent of action of the operative connection u on the templet-feeding means, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself.

21. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to re eatedly operate upon an object, feeding meclianism for feeding said object after each operation of said operatin means, a templet having detents arrange longitudinally thereon in distinct series, operatlve connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising engaging means to engage with said detents for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of sald operative connection upon said feedin mechanism, feeding means for said temp et, operative connection from said operating means to said templetfeeding means whereby said templet is fed longitudinall toward said engaging means during the ceding of said object, and an operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding means, for varying the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding means, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents 0 either one or the other series.

22. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to r eatedly operate upon an object, feeding mec anism for feeding said object after each operation of said operatin means, a templet having detents arrange connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising engaging means to engage with said detents for determining, during each operation of the o crating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said longitudinally thereon, operative feeding mechanism, feeding means for said templet, operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding means whereby said templet is fed longitudinally toward said engaging means during the feeding of said object, and an operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding means, for varying the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding means, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means for preventing en agement of said engaging means with sai detents.

23. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to re eatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon in distinct series, operatlve connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising enga 'ng means to engage with said detents for etermining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, feeding means for said templet, operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding means whereby said templet is fed longitudinally toward said engaging means during the feeding of said object, an operative connection from said engaging means to said tem let-feeding means, for varying the extent 0 action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding means, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

24. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting elements, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism, but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, an abutment to stop the preliminary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, and means for varying the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereby there is effected a variation of the extent of action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism when said connecting element is stopped by said abutment and forms the fulcrum for said operative connection.

25. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting elements, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism, but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, an abutment to stop the preliminary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of prellmlnary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereb there is effected a variation of the extent 0 action of said operative connection upon said feedlug mechanism when said connecting element is stopped by said abutment and forms the fulcrum for said operative connection, a templet, and engaging means whereby said templet controls said means that varies the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements.

26. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting elements, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism, but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, an abutment to stop the preliminary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereby there is effected a variation of the extent of action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism when said connecting element is stopped by said abutment and forms the fulcrum for said operative connection, a templet, engaging means whereby said templet controls said means that varies the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements, and means for feeding said templet toward said engagingmeans.

27. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting elements, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism. but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding mechanism. an abutment to stop the preliminary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereb there is effected a variation of the extent 0 action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism when said connectin element is stopped by said abutment and orms the fulcrum for said operative connection, a templet, en aging means whereby said templet contro s said means that varies the extent ofpreliminary movements of said connecting elements, and means for rendering said engaging means inoperative with respect to said templet.

28. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting elements, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism, but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding. mechanism, an a utment to stop the prelimlnary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereby there is effected a variation of'the extent of action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism when said connecting element isstopped by said abutment and forms the fulcrum for said operative connection, a templet, engaging means whereby said templet controls said means that varies the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements, means for feeding said templet toward said engaging means, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feeding said templet.

29. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism comprising two connecting ele: ments, one of which connects with said feeding mechanism, but both of which have movements preliminary to causing feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, an abutment to stop the preliminary movement of the other connecting element and form a fulcrum for said operative connection to cause feeding operation of the feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements relative to each other, whereby there is effected a variation of the extent of actionof said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism when said connecting element is stopped by said abutment and forms the fulcrum for said operative connection, templet, engaging means whereby said templet contro sai means that varies the extent of preliminary movements of said connecting elements, means for feeding said templet toward said engaging means, means for rendering said engaging means inoperative with respect to said templet, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feeding said templet.

30. In a spacing device, in combination with means to repeatedly operate u on an object, and a relatively wide frame or the operating means, and a carriage for carryin the object to be operated upon, and a re atively narrow and long bed extending through said frame for the carriage to travel upon, feeding mechanism for said carriage mounted in said frame and extending from said bed therein out to one side of the frame, operative connection on said side of said frame from said operating means to said carriage-feeding mechanism, a templet mounted to travel along close to said bed through said frame, and means extending from said templet out to the side of said frame and to said operative connection, whereby said templet controls the action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism.

31. In a spacing device, in combination with means to repeatedly operate upon an object, and a relatively wide frame for the operating means, and a carriage for carrying the object to be operated upon, and a re atively narrow and long bed extending through said frame for the carriage to travel upon, feeding mechanism for said carriage mounted in said frame and extending from said bed therein out to one side of the frame, operative connection on said side of said frame from said operating means to said carriagefeeding mechamsm, a tem let mounted to travel along close to said (1 through said frame, means extending from said templet out to the side of said frame and to said operative connection, whereby said templet controls the action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, feeding mechanism for said templet extending therefrom out to said side of said frame, and operative connection adjacent to said side of said frame from said carriage-feeding operative connection to said templet-feeding mechanism.

32. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, for. determining, during each 0 ration ofthe operatin means, the extent 0 the next action of sai operative connection upon'said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engagin means, another operative connection rom said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, and means for varying the extent of action of this operative connection upon this templet-feeding mechanism.

33. In a spacing device,incombination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feedin mechanism, and operative connection rom said engaging means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said engaging means varies the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding mechanism and whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself.

34. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feed ing said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means. the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon in distinct series, engaging means comprised in said operati-ve connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and said engaging means being adjustable to engage with the detents of either one or the other series.

35. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operateupon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage With said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

36. In a spacing device, in combination with operatin means to repeatedly operate upon an o ject, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon in distinct series, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of action of this operative connection upon this templet-feeding mechanism, means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

37. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon in distinct series, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said engaging means varies the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet feeding mechanism and whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series.

38. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally on the templet, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said engaging means varies the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding mechanism and whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means for preventing engagement of said engaging means with said detents.

39. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means. the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, during each operation of the operating means, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon in distinct series, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, another operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said engaging means varies the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding mechanism and whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, means to cause said engaging means to engage with the detents of either one or the other series,

and means for preventing engagement of sald engaging means with said detents.

40. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from sa 1d operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for varying, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents, feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, an other operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism, means for varying the extent of action of this operative connection upon this templet-feeding mechanism, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feed ing said templet.

41. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon. engaging means comprised in said operative connection to engage with said detents. feeding mechanism for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said engaging means, an other operative connection from said operating means to said templet-feeding mechanism. operative connection from said engaging means to said templet-feeding mechanism, whereby said engaging means varies the extent of action of the operative connection upon the templet-feeding mechanism and whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feeding said templet.

42. In a spacing device. in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinallv thereon, a member comprised in Said operative connection and reciprocated longitudinally of said templet, a dog on said reciprocated member to engage with said detents and slidable to disengage from the detents, and disengaging means to slide this dog into disengaging position at the termination of each feeding operation of said feeding mechanism, and means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said dog during the feeding of the object to be operated upon.

43. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining. during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinallv on the templet, a member comprised in said operative connection and reciprocated longitudinally of said templet, a dog on said reciprocated member to engage with said detents and slidable to disengage from the detents, disengaging means to slide this dog into disengaging position at the termination of each feeding operation of said feeding mechanism, means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said dog during the feeding of the object to be operated upon, and means whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself.

44. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining. during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, a member comprised in said operative connection and reciprocated longitudinally of said templet, a dog on said reciprocated member to engage with said detents and slidable to disengage from the detents, and disengaging means to slide this dog into disengaging position at the termination of each feeding operation of said feeding mechanism, means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said dog during the feeding of the obiect to be operated upon, and means for holding said dog in disengaging position independently of said disengaging means- 45. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next action of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, a member comprised in said operative connection and reciprocated longitudinally of said templet, a dog on said reciprocated member to engage with said detents and slidable to disengage from the detents, and disengaging means to slide this dog into disengaging position at the termination of each feeding operation of said feeding mechanism, means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said dog during the feeding of the object to be operated upon, means whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feeding said templet.

46. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next actidn of said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, a member comprised in said operative connection and reciprocated longitudinally of said templet, a dog on said reciprocated member to engage with said detents and slidable todisengage from the detents, and disengaging means to slide this dog into disengaging position at the termination of each feeding operation of said feeding mechanism, means for feeding said templet longitudinally toward said dog during the feeding of the object to be operated upon, means whereby said templet controls the extent of feeding of itself, means for holding said dog in disengaging position independently of said disengaging means, and means for rendering inoperative said means for feeding said templet.

47. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, comprising a ratchet, lever mechanism for operating said ratchet, a movable fulcrum for said lever mechanism, and means for varying the relative movements of said' fulcrum and said ratchet during an operation of the operating means, for varying the extent of the next operative action of the feeding mechanism.

48. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object. feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, comprising a ratchet, a Peaucellier parallel movement for operating said ratchet, a movable fulcrum for said movement, and means for varying the relative movements of said fulcrum and said ratchet during an operation of the operating means, for varying the extent of the next operative action of the feeding mechanism.

49. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and operative connections from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, comprising a crank, a ratchet, lever mechanism connected to said ratchet and to said crank, a movable fulcrum for said lever mechanism, and means for varying the relative movements of said fulcrum and said ratchet during an operation of the operating means, for varying the extent of the next operative action of the feeding mechanism.

50. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for the object operated upon, to operatively act after each operation of said operating means, and operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, comprising a crank, a Peaucellier parallel movement, a pitman connected to said crank and to said movement, a ratchet, a movable fulcrum, links connecting said parallel movement, respectively, to said ratchet and said fulcrum, and means for varying the relative movements of said fulcrum and said ratchet during an operation of the operating means, for varying the extent of the next operative action of the feeding mechanism.

51. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, a ratchet having a preliminary movement and a movement to feed said object, operative connection moved by said operating means, a link connected to said operative connection and to said ratchet, another link connected to said operative connection with a free end reciprocated by said operative connection, and means whereby the relative movements of said links may vary in extent, but whereby the sum of the extents of their movements is constant, a stop for stopping the movement of said free end in one direction, forming a fulcrum to ing a crank rotated by said operating means,

a cross-head, a pitman connected to said crank and to said cross-head, and a Penncellier parallel movement pivoted on said cross-head, links pivoted to the free pivot of the link-quadrangle of said parallel movement, one of said links being connected to said ratchet means, and the other link having a free end reciprocated by said operative connection, a stop for stopping the movement of said free end in one direction, forming a fulcrum to give said ratchet means its preliminary movement, an abutment for stopping said free end during return, forming a fulcrum to cause said ratchet to feed said object to be operated upon, and means to vary the position of said stop.

53. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection from said operating means to said feeding mechanism, means for determining, during each operation of the operating means, the extent of the next actionrof said operative connection upon said feeding mechanism, comprising a templet having detents arranged longitudinally thereon, a cam rotated by said operating means and having substantially onehalf of its periphery of uniform radius, but the other half inclined gradually outward to an abrupt drop back to its uniform radius, connecting means engaging with this periphery. a ratchet, and means whereby said ratchet feeds said templet longitudinally, said connecting means engaging with said ratchet to feed said templet While engaging with the inclined part of said cam periphery, but being adapted to follow said abrupt drop independently of said ratchet, a dog comprised in said operative connection and slidable along said templet and engageable with said detents, means mounted alongside said templet to engage with said dog and disengage it from said detents when said operative connection follows said abrupt drop in said cam periphery, and means to automatically and simultaneously move said ratchet and said dog in direction opposite to that of the feeding of said templet when said dog is thus disengaged.

54. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection to said operating means having movement of repeatedly equal extent, a ratchet to operate said feeding mechanism, a connecting element from said operative connection to said ratchet, an adjustable stop member, and connection between said stop member and said operative connection, whereby movement of said operative connection is per mitted while said ratchet remains stationary, the extent of said movement depending upon the adjustment of said stop, and whereby this movement is subtracted from the total movement of said operative connection, and whereby movement equal to the difference between these two movements is then imparted to said ratchet to feed said carriage.

55. In a spacing device, in combination with operating means to repeatedly operate upon an object, feeding mechanism for feeding said object after each operation of said operating means, operative connection to said operating means having movement of repeatedly equal extent, a ratchet to operate said feeding mechanism, a connecting element from said operative connection to said ratchet, an adjustable stop member, and connection between said stop member and said operative connection, whereby movement of said operative connection is permitted while said ratchet remains stationary, the extent of said movement depending upon adjustment of said stop, and whereby this movement is subtracted from the total movement of said operative connection, and whereby movement equal to the difference between these two movements is then imparted to said ratchet to feed said carriage, a templet, operative connection from said templet to said stop member, whereby said templet controls the adjustment of said stop member, a ratchet to feed said templet, and operative connections from said operating means and said stop member, respectively, to said templet-feeding ratchet, whereby this ratchet feeds said templet simultaneously with the feeding of said object and whereby the extent of feeding operation of said ratchet is controlled by the adjustment of said stop member.

FREDERICK C. STIENING.

Witnesses:

ADAM JOHN KOEHLER, JOHN C. SHELHOUBE. 

